Having a green horse and me being the same "green - ness" as a rider we learn things together ! We have been doing crossrails - and we have now decided to move onto verticals - I have started to lunge her over the jumps - thought it best for her to try before I added some weight and fear ! I want to make sure that she looks ok before I get on - can anyone see anything I should be teaching her from the ground ?

JustDressageIt

01-05-2011 03:09 PM

Her knees are good, and she looks quite confident over the fence. If I could suggest anything though, it would be to add a ground rail in front of the fence; it really helps a horse judge distance.

Midnight Angel

01-05-2011 03:11 PM

how far out should the ground rail be ?

Uma

01-05-2011 09:17 PM

She looks very nice to me as well with even knees and nice neck usage.

Just make sure you are keeping enough length on the lunge so that it can't get caught on anything but so you are not pulling on her head while she jumps. You can see in this picture that her body is slightly twisted (most likely due to jumping on a circle) but also her head is turned as well.

haleylvsshammy

01-06-2011 12:10 AM

Wow! I think she looks great! Her knees are nice and up, and she seems to be enjoying herself! I agree about the ground poll as well as making sure she has enough line. Overall, nice job!

Oxer

01-06-2011 12:16 AM

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WOW! look at that scope! Quite the natural!

VelvetsAB

01-06-2011 12:25 AM

My coach normally places a ground rail just slightly in front of the fence rail. You dont want it really far out at all.

I agree with making sure that the horse is jumping the fence straight without her body being twisted.

It almost looks like (but cannot see for sure) that the lunge line is wrapped around your hand. I normally dont say anything, but this CAN be a safety hazard, just as much as getting your feet wrapped in the lunge line is bad. Because it looks wrapped...also going to say that your circles are probably fairly small. Let the line out a little bit and walk with your horse in the circle, and you might be able to get her straighter into the fence without her/you pulling on the line.

corinowalk

01-06-2011 12:39 AM

I can't say much other than the fact that she looks beautiful to me. She looks to really enjoy it!

I totally love the fact that you are taking her through these paces first without the rider. It is just the smart thing to do.

When I was working with my old greenie horse, I always free lunged him over some jumps. It takes some finesse and a lot of leg work by the handler but at least you don't have to worry about that pesky lunge line!